World Cup USA: Brazilians in Danbury

Published 8:01 am, Friday, June 13, 2014

Brazillian Joao Oliveria and his wife Elaine hold a replica of the World Cup trophy at their home in Danbury, CT during halftime of the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match.

Brazillian Joao Oliveria and his wife Elaine hold a replica of the World Cup trophy at their home in Danbury, CT during halftime of the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 2 of 18

Brazil fans watch the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match at the Old Oak in Danbury, CT.

Brazil fans watch the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match at the Old Oak in Danbury, CT.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 3 of 18

Brazil fans watch the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match at the Old Oak in Danbury, CT.

Brazil fans watch the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match at the Old Oak in Danbury, CT.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 4 of 18

Brazil fans cheer after Brazil's first goal vs. Croatia in their World Cup opening match at the Old Oak in Danbury, CT.

Brazil fans cheer after Brazil's first goal vs. Croatia in their World Cup opening match at the Old Oak in Danbury, CT.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 5 of 18

Employees and customers at Warren Joli Studio hair salon on Main Street in Danbury celebrate Brazil's second goal while watching the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match.

Employees and customers at Warren Joli Studio hair salon on Main Street in Danbury celebrate Brazil's second goal while watching the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 6 of 18

Employees and customers at Warren Joli Studio hair salon on Main Street in Danbury watch the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match.

Employees and customers at Warren Joli Studio hair salon on Main Street in Danbury watch the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 7 of 18

A pedestrian watches the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match from the window outside Banana Brazil restaurant on Main Street in Danbury, CT.

A pedestrian watches the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match from the window outside Banana Brazil restaurant on Main Street in Danbury, CT.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 8 of 18

Brazil fans celebrate their team's third goal while watching the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match at the Banana Brazil restaurant on Main Street in Danbury, CT.

Brazil fans celebrate their team's third goal while watching the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match at the Banana Brazil restaurant on Main Street in Danbury, CT.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 9 of 18

Banana Brazil owner Nilton Coelho gets a hug from his daughter Geovanna after watching the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match at his restaurant on Main Street in Danbury, CT.

Banana Brazil owner Nilton Coelho gets a hug from his daughter Geovanna after watching the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup opening match at his restaurant on Main Street in Danbury, CT.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 10 of 18

Brazilian Rubens DeSilva of Danbury drapes a large Brazil flag over his truck before he took part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match. less

Brazilian Rubens DeSilva of Danbury drapes a large Brazil flag over his truck before he took part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening ... more

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 11 of 18

Brazil fans flood downtown Danbury while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Brazil fans flood downtown Danbury while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 12 of 18

Brazil fan Viviane Gondinho of Danbury cheers while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Brazil fan Viviane Gondinho of Danbury cheers while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 13 of 18

A Brazil fan drives and blows a whistle while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

A Brazil fan drives and blows a whistle while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 14 of 18

Brazil fans cheer while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Brazil fans cheer while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 15 of 18

A Brazil fans holds a Brazil flag while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

A Brazil fans holds a Brazil flag while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 16 of 18

A Danbury police car patrols as Brazil fans cheer while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

A Danbury police car patrols as Brazil fans cheer while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 17 of 18

A Danbury police officer prepares to ticket a car full of Brazil fans that were taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match. The officer cited the car for having a passenger hang out the window. less

A Danbury police officer prepares to ticket a car full of Brazil fans that were taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match. ... more

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

Image 18 of 18

Brazil fan Walter deCastro of Bethel, CT and his son Igor give a thumbs up while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Brazil fan Walter deCastro of Bethel, CT and his son Igor give a thumbs up while taking part in a impromptu parade down Main Street to celebrate Brazil's victory over Croatia in their World Cup opening match.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman, Courtesy

World Cup USA: Brazilians in Danbury

1 / 18

Back to Gallery

No other event like the World Cup has the ability to bring together people for a common passion. Over the next month of the World Cup, SF Gate photo editor Douglas Zimmerman will photograph some the many diverse communities in America, through the lens of soccer fandom.

The World Cup kicked off on Thursday afternoon in Brazil. The event was watched closely by thousands of Brazilians far from home in Danbury, Connecticut.

Around 40,000 Brazilian immigrants call Connecticut home, and many of them have settled in Danbury, Connecticut which according to the 2000 Census was the third largest Brazilian community in the United States. Many of them are just as soccer crazy as their fellow countrymen in Brazil.

Now Playing:

Throughout downtown Danbury Brazilians packed bars, restaurants and living rooms to watched the Brazil national team rebound from an early Croatia goal to win 3-1.

After the win an impromptu victory parade rolled along Main Street in downtown Danbury. It was the first of what the local Brazilian community hopes will be several victory parades this World Cup.